The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-09-10

at is impossible to remove HIM
in this condition." the doctor re-
marked 81 fear he must stay here
for the night. will send you some
one TO watch him."
"Don't trouble-I intend to sit up
with him myself" l replied, speak
ing on an impulse l could hardly
explain.
He looked at me keenly over his
spectacles.
"Should you like me to share
your watch?" he inquired, after a
moment.
II shall be only to glad of your
company, you come without in
convenience"
He nodded.
II must leave you now, but will
return in an hour" he responded.
Three hours had passed away 1t
was merely midnight. The room was
oppressively close, and profoundly
still. The bedroom window stood
wide open, but not breath of air
stirred the curtains. Outside, all
was vague and dark, for neither
moon nor stars were visible.
Vandeleur still lay, half dressed,
on the bed, but now asleep. His
deep, regular breathing sound
ed distinctly in the silence. DIR.
Cameron sat near the dressingTable,
reading by the light of shaded
lamp. l, too, had book, but found
it impossible to keep my attention
fixed upon it. My mind was pos
sessed by an uneasy feeling, half
dread, half expectation l found
myself listening nervously to fanci-
ell sounds, and starting when the
doctor turned leaf.
At length, overcome by the heat
and stiffness, l closed my eyes, and
unconsciously sank into a doze.
How long it lasted 1 cannot tell, but
I woke abruptly, and looked round
with sense of vague alarm. l glanc-
ed at the doctor. He had laid down
his book, and was leaning forward
with one arm on the dressing-table
looking intently towards the door Of
the boxroom. Instinctively held
my breath and listened.
Never shall forget the thrill that
ran through my nerves when [ heard
from within a muffled knocking
sound, aud a child's voice, distinct
though faint, and broken by sobs
crying piteously:-
f "Do you hear?" whispered, bend
ing forward to my companion.
He inclined his head in assent
and motioned me to be silent, point
, ing toward the bed. Its occupant
moved uneasily, as if disturbed
muttering some incoherent phrases
Suddenly he pushed back his cover
ing, and sat upright, gazing round
with wild, bewildered stare.
The ptiful entreaty was repeated
more violently, more passionately
, than before.
"Let me out, let me out"
. With a cry that rang through the
room, Vandeleur sprang from th'
bed, reached the closet door in two
strides and tore it open.
1t was empty. Empty at least t.
) our eyes, but it was evident that ou
companion beheld what we could not
For a few breathless moments hC
. stood as if frozen, his eyes fixed witt
, the fascination of terror on some
thing just within the threshold; then
as if retreating before it, he recoileC
n step by step across the room till HI
was stopped by the opposite wall
! where he crouched in an attitude o
[ abjcct fear.
The sight WAS so horrible that
could bear it no longer
e "Are you dreaming? wake up!"
S exclaimed, and shook his shoulder.
a He raised his eyes and looked IL
me vacantly. His lips moved, bu
a no sound came from them. Sudden
ly a convulsive shudder ran through
= him, and he fell heavily forward n
t my feet.
r "He has swooned again" l said
turning to my companion, VIII
stopped and lifted the droopin
e head on to his knee.
4 After one glance he gently laid
down again.
+ "He is dead" was his grave reply
n x + X
And with Vandeleur's death IN
a story ends, for after that night tn
7 sounds were heard no longer.
j. The forlorn little ghost was at rest
Tact.